Wintering Question

[Mlleml]

Will be storing my Windsport 29M indoors but unheated garage for the cold NY winter. Planning on taking out the coach batteries and putting them on a battery minder but what to do about chassis battery to ensure it starts again in the spring (6 months)? Thinking will disconnect the negative wire and leave it at that. Opinions? Suggestions? Experience for this newbie?
Thanks.

[mk34techrep]

I keep mine on trickle charge over the winter...

[Bob Denman]

For six Months? I agree: buy yourself a Battery Tender, and you'll have no worries!
(Other than the fuel system... )

[mk34techrep]

With today’s chargers, most will not overcharge, they monitor status of battery and only charge when required.. I have had no problems, just make sure to check water level and top off before starting charge....

[Bob Denman]

That's why Deltran calls their products: "Battery Maintainers".

[tenbear]

I just keep mine plugged in all winter long. The charger keeps the batteries charged. Probably a good idea to check the battery voltage from time to time. I have volt and ammeters wired in so I can easily monitor the charging.

[Bob Denman]

just don't forget to check your water levels every once in a while too!

[Mlleml]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

For six Months? I agree: buy yourself a Battery Tender, and you'll have no worries!

(Other than the fuel system... )

That’s the rub. The storage location has no electric so I need to plan accordingly. I do treat the fuel system with Stabil and run the RV for a while.

[JamieGeek]

I put a disconnect switch on both chassis and house batteries; leave them in the coach disconnected over winter.

I visit the coach, connect the batteries, start both engine & genny, bring the engine up to operating temp by running it between 1500-2000 RPM, inspect everything, put the microwave on convection for a bit (to put a load on the genny), turn off the engines, and disconnect the batteries once or twice a month.

So far both batteries (we only have 2 in our coach) have been fine in the spring.

[tenbear]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

just don't forget to check your water levels every once in a while too!

You're right, I forgot that. When we get a warm spell, every month or more, I go out and check the batteries and run he engine for a while. Also run the genny with an electric heater drawing bout 10A.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Mlleml

That’s the rub. The storage location has no electric so I need to plan accordingly. I do treat the fuel system with Stabil and run the RV for a while.

Is there any way that you could rig up a solar battery maintainer?
The chassis battery would most likely be okay without it, but it's a puzzle worth taking a look at...

[Lt Keefer]

I would follow the leave the batteries in it with regular visits route. Spend an afternoon every other week or so at your storage facility. Run the engine, run the genny with a load on it, watch the game, enjoy.